A lowered tariff rate from India; a traveling, artisan created rug exhibit kicks off a four-city tour tomorrow, and Ruggable and Rugs USA add new collections. Find out more in this week’s Rug Report.
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Rugmakers who import rugs from India are relieved at the news that the tariff rate for goods produced in India is going down to 18%.
“The reduction of Indian tariffs to 18% is a positive and stabilizing signal for our industry, particularly for our India-sourced assortments where tariff pressure had been a meaningful cost headwind,” said Alex Peykar co-founder of Nourison Home. “This move helps rebalance our landed cost structure and reinforces that our decision to take a modest price increase in August—while absorbing the majority of the impact—was both disciplined and consumer-centric, protecting relationships, and long-term brand trust.”
Peykar said the reduced tariff further strengthens the company’s commitment for continued diversification and partnership with India as a core sourcing hub.
“Obviously, we need for them (the reduced tariffs) to go all the way through,” said Satya Tiwari, president of Surya, Inc. “A lot needs to be happening. But this is good news for everyone that’s bringing product from India. We were hoping this would settle at about 19-20%. We were all absorbing the costs and had some price increases, but we couldn’t absorb the increase forever, so this is good timing. If it had gone on for six more months, it would have greatly impacted the newness that companies could bring. We did the best we could to get through that period.”
As Tiwari said, since last August, manufacturers have dealt with the tariffs in a variety of ways, including absorbing the costs and working with partners who are able to absorb some costs, but others have had to raise prices.
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Starting tomorrow, Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather and Fabric will launch Woven Resistance, an exhibition using design to share stories of resilience, unity and hope.
Woven Resistance is a month-long traveling exhibition and auction of original hand-crafted rugs reimagined as meaningful works of art. Fourteen designers have each contributed a unique piece that champions inclusion, elevates LGBTQ+ voices, encourages climate action and weaves together narratives of equity and belonging.
Jamie Stern is partnering with the Freehand Hotel, which has donated its space to host the exhibition in New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. The silent auction will benefit The Sierra Club and PFLAG.
Fourteen interior designers and industry professionals have created one-of-a-kind hand-tufted and flat-weave rugs in sustainable fibers. Each is an original work of art representing the designer’s personal response to the current political environment in the U.S. Participating designers include Matt Goodrich of Goodrich Design; Penelope Fischer-White and Suzanne Tick, of Suzanne Tick Designs.
Throughout February, Woven Resistance will travel the country for a series of live exhibitions. In partnership with Freehand Hotel Group, a selection of carpets will be spotlighted with one-day, in-person events in New York tomorrow, Miami on February 11, Chicago on February 18, and Los Angeles on February 23.
Also, starting tomorrow through February 25, every carpet will be available through an online silent auction to benefit PFLAG and The Sierra Club.
“I was searching for a way to express my opposition to the unraveling of our democracy when I recognized an opportunity to unite my voice with the design community and our sustainable, creative carpet supply chain,” said Jamie Stern, CEO of Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather and Fabric. “Like so many Americans, I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing attacks on democratic values, environmental progress, LGBTQ+ protections, and equity efforts. I felt compelled to act by collaborating with creatives across the design industry and channeling that energy into resistance. Through the production of sustainable 100% wool and silk rugs paired with a national traveling exhibition our aim is to generate significant funding to support organizations leading the fight. From this shared resolve, Woven Resistance was born.”
For 40 years, Jamie Stern has been a resource for furniture, carpet, leather and fabric, working with the country’s designers on projects worldwide
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Ruggable has launched Eclectic Kitchen, a new rug collection designed for the most lived-in room of the home.
Inspired by the idea that the kitchen is where messy and meaningful collide, the company said the collection “celebrates the everyday moments that can’t be staged: butter-stained recipe cards, scribbles on the fridge and late-night conversations during cleanup.”
The collection features bohemian-inspired patterns across flatwoven and tufted rugs that feel layered, collected and warm – all while staying true to Ruggable’s signature washability.
Designed to bring comfort and character back to kitchen spaces, Eclectic Kitchen includes seven unique designs infused with earthy tones, fringe details and global-inspired prints.
“The bohemian rugs bring a relaxed, collected-over-time feel,” according to the company, along with being washable, nonslip and made to handle spills and sauce splatters with ease.
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Rugs USA has launched a new collection called Vintage Edit. The heirloom-inspired pieces seek to reimagine spaces with a familiar foundation. The 35-piece collection, 20 of which are washable, feature traditional styles that complement every room.
The rugs are made of polyester, recycled cotton, jute and viscose and are power-loomed in Turkey and have a low pile height.
The collection ranges in price from $74 to $300 and each rug comes in eight sizes along with a choice of runners.
